Goals are the foundation of a solid writing and marketing plan. They provide a target at which to aim, the standard against which you can gauge your progress. They divide your vision statement into manageable steps and provide a path to its realization. And written goals provide a means for looking back to see how far you have come.

If all these benefits of setting goals are true, how can goals be of no value? Goal-setting is a tool, and like any other tool it is useless if used incorrectly. Goals are worthless...

... if they are not clear, specific, measurable, time-sensitive and written. This admonition is almost a cliché, but it bears repeating. Objectives must be clear so there is no misinterpreting their intent; specific so there is no doubt about whether or not you reached them; measurable in their objectivity, eliminating indeterminate goals such as "be the best in the business;" attainable in a limited time period (which could be a month, a year or ten years or more); written to make them indelible and not subject to later interpretation.

... if they are not realistic. Set goals within the realm of what is possible for you to accomplish. This does not mean you shouldn't stretch to meet a worthy objective, but only that your optimism should not exceed your ability to fulfill.

... if they are not arranged hierarchically. Arrange your goals from the most to the least important, from broad to specific targets so you do the most important tasks first.

... if they are not part of a plan. Planning is a verb, a series of sequential actions represented by the acronym PIE -- Planning, Implementation and Evaluation. Preparing objectives is the start of the planning process, the foundation upon which your implementation and evaluation occur.

... if you don't follow up and make them work. Once your plan is complete, move to the second part of the PIE acronym and implement your plan, taking action to reach your objectives. As the saying goes, plan your work and work your plan.

... if you don't evaluate your relative progress and make necessary corrections. Are your actions taking you closer to, or further from your goals? How do you know? The evaluation portion of the PIE acronym tests your relative progress to make sure it is forward and goal directed. If it is not, make the corrections necessary to get you back on course.

... if they are focused on the problem and not the solution. Murphy's Law is alive and well in most parts of the publishing process. But if you dwell on the things that go wrong, that is where your attention will be focused. Don't fight problems, right problems. Set goals to reach profitability, not to avoid a loss.

... if they are set when you are in a negative frame of mind. Negativity can overpower your thoughts when revenue and profits are down. That is not the time to be setting goals. Wait until you have regained control of your attitude.

... if they are not derived from a sense of purpose. Purpose breeds passion, the unfailing belief in yourself and your ability to make your goals become reality. Your targets will rarely motivate you to sustained action if they are not set from an unfailing sense of destiny.

... if they are inflexible. You may have heard that goals must be set in stone, inveterate mandates that keep you firm of mind and path. However, this set of mental blinders could obstruct your view and keep you from seizing unexpected opportunities. Your mission statement should be entrenched in granite, but there must be some flexibility in the way you implement your plan to fulfill your vision.

Use goal-setting as the tool it was meant to be, part of the process that transforms your vision statement into reality. Do this and your march to success will be more focused and successful.

Find Out More...

• Goals and Resolutions: Mid-Year Course Adjustments, by Moira Allen
  
  
• Planning Your Writing Career, by Dawn Copeman
  
  
• Setting Effective Writing Goals, by Moira Allen